Planning a surprise proposal (and expecting the unexpected!)

There are few moments as exciting to a photograph as a surprise proposal. The nerves, the anticipation, the way someone keeps checking their pocket to make sure the ring is still there. And then that one unforgettable moment when everything changes. From the outside, it might look like I simply show up with a camera and capture the magic. But behind every successful surprise proposal is a ton of thoughtful planning, plenty of communication, and just enough flexibility to handle whatever surprises the day decides to throw our way.

If you're thinking about proposing, here's a little behind-the-scenes look at a recent proposal I shot—and why we always expect the unexpected even when everything goes according to plan!

Location matters—but maybe not for the reason you think. Sure, beautiful scenery photographs well. But the best proposal locations are places that mean something. Maybe it's the overlook where you had your first date, maybe it's the trail you hike every fall, and maybe sometimes it's simply a place with beautiful light where you can focus on each other without a crowd watching. For this proposal, Cody reached out to me several weeks before so we could meet at several of his top location choices. After talking through the pros and cons of each spot, he decided on a beautiful tree lined path at a local park. Somewhere him and Kayla could go back to whenever they wanted.

One of the biggest parts of planning a surprise proposal is creating a timeline that feels natural. The last thing you want is for your partner to suspect something because you're acting nervous or insisting on taking a random walk at sunset for no reason. We'll talk through your plans for the day so everything flows naturally. Cody had his schedule down pat, and I knew when and where I was to be. Most people don't realize that I usually arrive well before you do. I'll scout the exact spot, check the lighting, and make sure everything looks the way we planned. When I arrived to the agreed upon location, the first thing I noticed was how busy the park was! Not a single parking spot was available in the lot and there were people everywhere.

To keep this proposal a surprise, my daughter and I were set up to have a picnic off to the side of the treelined path. Upon arrival, there was a dozen or so youth football players standing in the exact spot where the magic was set to happen… Ensue complete panic! There’s maybe 30 minutes max until Cody shows up with Kayla and I can’t call to tell him we need a plan B. A couple of deep breaths later after flipping through all possible options in my head, I decide we will just have to roll with it. And lo and behold, 10 minutes before go time, the football team packs up their gear and moves to the field!

Cody arrived minutes later with his future bride and she said “a million times yes!”.

Here's something I always tell my couples: something probably won't go exactly according to plan. And that's ok. None of those moments ruin the proposal. They often become everyone's favorite memories. Some of the most meaningful photographs come from those imperfect moments when genuine emotion takes over.

When you hire a photographer for your proposal, you're getting more than someone to document the moment. You're getting someone who's helped plan these surprises before. Someone who knows how to stay hidden. Someone who can recommend the best lighting, the best timing, and even a backup plan if the weather decides to do something unexpected.